Process of preserving organic matter.



PATENTED APR. 24, 1906.

W. T. SGHBBLE.

PROCESS OP PRESBRVING ORGANIC MATTER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 25.1905.

' and not coagulate'd,

. lng of meats and milk.

UNITE@ STATES PATENT FFTOE..

WALTER T. SOHEELE, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM J. HOOPER, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 24, 1906.

Application filed May 25, 1905. Serial No. 262.247.

To all whom t may concern:

Beit known that I, WALTER T. SCHEELE, a subject of the-German Emperor, residing at l/Vest Arlington, Baltimore city, Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes of Preserving Animal and Vegetable Matter, of Which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a process of preserving animal or vegetable matter of any kind. This process is especially valuable for the preservation of food products, and products so preserved maybe kept indefinitely.

Among the valuable features of my process are the freedom of the product from bacteria and the fact that the. food or other dried material retains its natural color and flavor. This is due to the fact that the albumen in the products is simply dried by my process as is done in the ordinary cooking processes.

The present process consists in placing the substance to be preserved in a closed vessel together With a properl proportioned amount of li uid air. A small7 valve or vent is provide for the gradual escape of the air as it expands. The substance to be dried is preferably placed upon a tray above the liquid air, the apparatus being ,so arranged that the air as it gasifies must pass through the substance. The liquid air is piactically free from moisture, and the gaseous air produced is therefore thoroughly dry. I have found that such air moisture in animal or vegetable matter and leave such matter a perfectly condition. As the drying out of the substance under treatment is done Without heat, the albumen is not coagulated, but is simply dried. Vegetable matter so dried may be restored. to its natural condition by simply soaking it in vWater for a short time, the amount of time depending upon the nature of the substance.

This process is applicable to the dyin of potatoes, tomatoes, peas, beets, an ot er vegetables It is also appllilcable to tljife dre germs o see s Will very rapidly carry off thel dried by this process are not killed, and such seeds may be stored for years Without destroying their usefulness.

. In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated a simple apparatus by means of Which my process may be practiced. Referring to the drawing, l indicates a4 tank or box having a removable cover 2. Vithin the box is a tray 3, adapted to hold the substance 4 to be dried. The tray is perforated to permit of the circulation of air through the material 4. The apparatus is rovided with a fillingtube 5, through Whicl? liquid air 6 is introduced into the bottom of the tank. The filler may be provided with the usual funnel 7 and With a valve 8. The apparatus is also preferably provided With an air-escape valve 9, Which is normally closed by a light spring 10.

The operation of the apparatus is as folloWs: The liquid air gradually gasilies and fills the apparatus With dry air. This air, owing toits expansion andthe motion incident thereto and incident to its escape through the vent 9, circulates through the material to be dried and finally passes out through the valve 9. It is found that the material under treatment Will be rapidly dried by this simple apparatus and Will retain to alarge extent its natural color and appearance, although shrinking in size very materially.

Large fruits and vegetables, such as apples and potatoes, should be sliced in order to dry them more rapidly, While peas, beans, and other small vegetables, fruits, or seeds may be readily dried Whole. In all substances subjected to my process of drying the albumen is found to be perfectly dry and not coagulated. It is for this reason that the color, taste, and other qualities of food products are reserved.

ood products preserved by myprocess may be packed in anetight cans, jars, or otner receptacles. They may, however, be safely and more 'economically packed in paper receptacles, especially in waxed or otherV airtight pa er.

ItWil be evident that my process ma be carried out by means of various forms o apparatus, and therefore, Without limiting my self to the apparatus illustrated and de- In testimony whereof I have signed my scribed, I claimname to this specification in the presence of 1o The herein-described process of preserving two subscribing Witnesses.

organic matter, consisting in ,desiccating the 4 WALTER SCHEELE same by exposing it to the vapors or gases i Which are liberated from a body of'liquid air Witnesses: placed in close proximity thereto, in a closed J. A. WATSON, chamber under the exclusion ofthe outer air. B. C. RUST. 

